At Southampton, we'll support you to make your own contributions to chemistry research. You'll gain the skills to carry out advanced research in an academic or industrial environment as a professional scientist.
Chemistry at Southampton has a community of 200 people actively involved in research. Each year we accept more than 50 postgraduate students from a variety of backgrounds to study for chemistry research degrees.
While much of our research begins with concepts at a fundamental level, we are passionate about using the findings to make a real impact on the world around us.
The work of a research chemist is to find real-world problems produces business opportunities, enhances the quality of life, creates jobs, and boosts the economy, Our research has a significant impact on society, industry, government, and public service.
Our own graduate school offers a supportive environment for postgraduate study and personal development. This includes integrated training modules supervised by our scientists and a multidisciplinary and collaborative approach to science.
While most entrants have a background in chemistry we also welcome students with training in subjects including:
Usually a one-year programme that focuses on the design and execution of an original research project.
The project will occupy about two-thirds of the year, with the remainder of the time devoted to lectures and preparation of a chemistry MPhil thesis.
All students planning to complete a PhD must formally register for an MPhil degree in the first instance. Students can then transfer after one year to a PhD registration upon completion of a mini-thesis describing the project objectives and preliminary results.
You will normally complete a PhD programme in a period of 3 years after entry to the graduate school.
We have studentship vacancies in:
computational systems
electrochemistry
chemical biology, diagnostics and therapeutics
magnetic resonance
organic chemistry: synthesis, catalysis and flow
characterisation and analytics
functional inorganic, materials and supramolecular chemistry
Studentships are either self-funded or funded from a variety of sources, including:
Our areas of research are:
As scientific research within the University becomes increasingly multidisciplinary, you may find that your chosen project area is jointly supervised by staff from other schools, such as:
This project is well-suited to those with strong skills and a keen interest in analytical chemistry, and its application to the petrochemical industry. An interest in analytical and physical-organic chemistry is desirable.
The potential of therapeutic mRNA became evident in the early 1990s. Up to date, the development and application of mRNA in therapy have been drawing the interest of several biotech companies. The future potential of mRNA technologies has also been established by the Covid pandemic.
This project will investigate the synthesis of mixed anion thin films for transparent conductor applications, and will involve the synthesis and characterisation of novel molecular precursors to deliver the required elemental compositions and phases and make use of a range of thin film deposition techniques. This includes low pressure and aerosol assisted chemical vapour deposition and sol gel dip-coating.
Carboxylation is a fundamental reaction in organic chemistry. We are heading a program for developing novel reagents for carboxylation reactions. These reagents are described as dual-function reagents as they can perform multiple roles in the reaction. The advantage of our dual-function reagents is that they avoid specialized equipment and sensitive or hazardous reagents. These reagents also display unique reactivity.
Be part of this exciting interdisciplinary project between the Schools of Chemistry and Electronics and Computer Science at the University of Southampton and the Institute of Materials Research (IMRE) in Singapore. This project aims to develop a new generation of micro thermoelectric (TE) generators that can be integrated into textiles to power wearable electronic systems.
A fully funded PhD studentship is available in computational materials discovery, as part of a prestigious international Synergy grant funded by the European Research Council. The project, ‘Autonomous Discovery of Advanced Materials’, aims to revolutionise the way that new materials are discovered by combining computational simulations, robotics and materials synthesis.
The International Maritime Organisation aims to decarbonise the shipping industry, with ambitious targets of 40% reduction in CO2 emission by 2030 (based on 2008 levels), moving to a 70% reduction by 2050. To achieve these ambitions requires energy savings across all areas of the sector and a move towards non-carbon-based energy. Moving towards a cleaner ‘hydrogen economy’ offers great promise, although it is not without its challenges.
Splice-switching oligonucleotides (SSOs) have recently emerged as powerful precision medicines for life-threatening diseases. SSOs bind to and re-direct mRNA processing, altering the production of disease-associated proteins.
We offer a wide range of fully funded studentships. We run several of our PhD studentships in partnership with doctoral training centres, meaning you'll benefit from enhanced training and guaranteed funding.
These studentships:
We offer scholarships and teaching bursaries ourselves. Your potential supervisor can guide you on what is available.
If you’re an international student you may be able to apply for a scholarship from your country.
Find out more about scholarships
Once you've found a supervisor, they can help you with potential funding sources. We offer match funding in some cases.
You'll need to state how you intend to pay for your tuition fees when you submit your application.
Find out more about funding your PhD
You may be able to fund your postgraduate research with funding from your current employer or from industry.
You can borrow up to £26,445 for a PhD starting in 2022. Doctoral loans are not means tested and you can decide how much you want to borrow.
Find out about PhD loans on GOV.UK
You may be able to win funding from one or more charities to help fund your PhD.
2022 to 2023 entry:
| MPhil/PhD | UK | International |
|---|---|---|
| Full time | £4,596 | £24,600 |
| Part time | £2,298 | £12,300 |
2023 to 2024 entry:
| MPhil/PhD | UK | International |
|---|---|---|
| Full time | tbc | £25,500 |
| Part time | tbc | £12,750 |
You're eligible for a 10% alumni discount on a self-funded PhD if you're a current student or graduate from the University of Southampton.
A well-established world-class group researching energy charge transfer that affects many facets of life.
We develop environmentally sustainable approaches to chemical manufacture that minimise chemical waste, improve product velocity and reduce the need to isolate intermediates.
Enhancing the teaching and knowledge of chemistry for both staff and students
Developing novel techniques to make magentic resonance even more widely applicable.
Our research group examines the synthesis of new materials and functional molecules that contribute to innovation and technology.
Our research covers a broad range of domains from nanoscale materials properties, atmospheric chemistry, through to biological systems.
Combing specialists from mass spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction to create a world-class problem solving team.
Decide whether to apply to an advertised research project or create your own proposal.
It's a good idea to email potential supervisors to discuss the specifics of your project. It's best to do this well ahead of the application deadline.
You’ll find supervisors’ contact details listed with the advertised project, or you can search for supervisors in the staff directory.
You’ll need to send us:
You need at least a 2:1 degree, or equivalent, in chemistry or a chemistry-related subject.
MPhil Chemistry applicants must also submit a University application form a transcript.
If English is not your first language, you'll need an IELTS minimum level of 6.5 with a 6.0 in writing, reading, speaking and listening.
Your awarded certificate needs to be dated within the last 2 years.
If you need further English language tuition before starting your degree, you can apply for one of our pre-sessional English language courses.
You will need to have a good science background and we will review your particular qualifications when you apply.
If you are a new postgraduate or MChem applicant and subject to immigration control, you should check if you need to apply for an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) clearance certificate before you apply for a visa.
For further information see the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website. Your offer letter should contain all the relevant information you need for the ATAS application but if you have any queries please contact us.
Telephone: +44 (0)23 8059 4121
Email: pgafnes@southampton.ac.uk
Telephone: +44 (0)23 8059 8310
Email: chem-pgt-apply@southampton.ac.uk
Research degrees have a minimum and maximum duration, known as the candidature. Your candidature ends when you submit your thesis.
Most candidatures are longer than the minimum period.
| Degree type | Duration |
| Chemistry PhD full time | 2 to 4 years |
| Chemistry PhD part time | 3 to 7 years |
| Chemistry MPhil full time | 1 year |
| Chemistry MPhil part time | 2 to 3 years |
